The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Former Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) president Sheikh Hasina yesterday said AL hoped for a free, fair and credible parliamentary polls on December 18 with the participation of all the political parties.

Former ambassador Muhammad Zamir disclosed this after a bilateral meeting between Sheikh Hasina and French Ambassador Charley Causeret at her Sudha Sadan residence in Dhanmondi.

"Sheikh Hasina said she hoped spontaneous participation of all the political parties in the upcoming national polls scheduled on December 18 for the sake of restoring democracy in the country. The people are eagerly waiting for the polls," he said quoting Sheikh Hasina.

Zamir also said as France is the current president of the European Council various matters of Bangladesh's interests were discussed with importance in the meeting.

He also informed that the Frence envoy had assured Sheikh Hasina for assisting Bangladesh for rapid development of the country.

Abul Kalam Azad, Press Secretary to Sheikh Hasina, told reporters that the AL leader and the French Ambassador had discussed bilateral issues in a cordial environment.

After the meeting, the French Ambassador told reporters that the sooner the national polls were held, it would be better for the transition to a multi-party democracy in the country.A well accepted election participated by all should be most welcome, he added.

Asked to comment about the BNP stand for deferring the polls, the French envoy said it is up to the political parties to decide the date of the polls.